I've been towing my 27 foot Airstream with a 1988 454 Suburban 3/4 ton for six years now but the body on my '88 is done. It still runs well enough but I don't want to put any more money into a truck with more rust than steel. I've been looking around, and the only 3/4 ton Suburbans in my area and price range have the small-block 350 engine. I do tow through the mountains, but there are not too many steep grades and the maximum altitude I face is about 3,500 feet. Will an aging (1994) small-block 350 3/4 ton 2wd Suburban be up to the task? I'm hoping for a yes, since the 350 will be more economical for in-town, soccer-dad duties.

Over the years and currently we have hundreds of customers that tow 34 Airstreams all over the continent with Suburbans with 350 engines. There are some hills that you now climb in drive that you will need to climb in second gear. However you will never save enough time on hills to make up for the extra time you spend in gas stations running a 454.

Something that improves these trucks a great deal is to change the tires to 225/75R x 16" LT Load Range "D" or "e" tires. These tires steer with more precision have less rolling resistance and will give you another mile per gallon.

A 1/2 ton suburban will work fine for you as well the ride is much smoother for both you and the Airstream. The key to the 1/2 ton is to install the 225 LT tires and good shocks such as bilstiens or Munroe's. With these installed the handling is as stable as the 3/4. The 1/2 ton does have a little better transmission ratios than a 3/4.

I have towed a 73 Sovereign with a 350. A little slow on some hills but not a big deal. Another big factor is the rear end gearing. With a torquey rear end you could climb a wall but will lucky to hit 65 mph. Not enough torque and your tranny will be switching all over the map. I agree you don't necessarily need a 3/4 ton.

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Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.

I was referring to the Suburban, not the trailer. I had a 1995 model with the 350 and it struggled to move itself.

I agree! My 1995 K1500 with 3.73 gears was an absolute nightmare in the mountains when hitched to my Overlander, and was just barely adequate solo. I generally keep my vehicles for a couple of decades - - but I was ready to move that truck on at 3 years and 48,000 miles as it was not capable of adequately handling my Overlander . . .

I agree! My 1995 K1500 with 3.73 gears was an absolute nightmare in the mountains when hitched to my Overlander, and was just barely adequate solo. I generally keep my vehicles for a couple of decades - - but I was ready to move that truck on at 3 years and 48,000 miles as it was not capable of adequately handling my Overlander . . .

Kevin

Same here. When I bought mine new, I intended to keep it a long time, but after 10 months, I decided to take the depreciation hit and sold it. The power was severely lacking. I couldn't imagine towing with it.

Try and get a 96 or newer with the vortex 350 as it is quite a bit better on fuel and has way more power. In 1996 we drag raced a 1996 350 votex 4wd with 3.73 gears against a 1994 Suburban with an pre vortex 454 373 gears both had the same size tires. Both were towing 34' Airstreams. The 350 cleaned it and at the end of a 1/4 mile it was about 300' ahead.

I've got a 99 Tahoe with 350. Have not pulled the Airstream with it but as a comparison I have pulled my tandem axle 19 Ft. Basscat boat with it and with my 4.7 Liter Tundra. In t the Tahoe you know are pulling a load with the boat while in the truck I can hardly notice it. May be more an issue of rear end gearing, but my Tahoe is weak in the pulling department.